Senate Republicans push back on Trump's Syria policy with new bill

Top Senate Republicans kicked off the first session of Congress on Thursday by introducing a bill to impose sanctions on the Syrian government and enhance security cooperation with neighboring countries Jordan and Israel, NBC News reports.

The big picture: President Trump's order to withdraw troops from Syria has prompted backlash from Republicans and Trump allies, many of whom believe the move will allow ISIS to regain strength and leave a power vacuum to be filled by adversaries Russia and Iran. The bill was introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio and co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch.

Protesters gather north of Lafayette Square near the White House during a demonstration against racism and police brutality, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been rallying in cities across the U.S. and around the world to protest the killing of George Floyd. Huge crowds assembled in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago for full-day events on Saturday.